Ignition device



May l5,"l928. 1,669,888 P. F. WOLLENWEBER IGNITION DEVICE Filed June 25, L91? @Im I Pau/EWa//en weber mi- W X2. A Anon/vg Patented May 15, 1928.

UNITED STATES'.

PATENT OFFICE.

PAUL F. WOLLNWEBER, OF TOLEDO, OHIO,

ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE THE ELECTRIC AUTO-LITE COMPANY, OF TOLEDO, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

IGNITION DEVICE.

Application filed June 25, 1917. Serial No. 176,733.

This invention relates to improvements in ignition devices for motor vehicles.

The principal object of this invention is to provide a single, compact device of the character indicated which is not only satisfactory for the purpose intended but has certain of the separate parts thereof constructed along novel lines having inherent advantages in such separate parts or parts per se. as well as in the assembled combination.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improvedgeneral assembly of 'igniter including mounting for the interrupter plate, of such a nature as to avoid the use of screws or other removable fastening means. e y

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved mounting for the interrupter cam ot' such a nature as to permit the ready adjustment of the cam relative to the drive shaft.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved interrupt-er lever which isof very light weight so that itwill respond quickly to the cam and give a clean, sharp make and break in the circuit.

Still a further object of this invention is to provide an improved mounting for the rotatable distributor head, by means of which the head can he very readily removed whenever desired.

Further objects of this invention relate to economies of manu facture and details of construction as will hereinafter appear from the detailed description to follow. I accomplish the objects of my invention in one instance b v the devices and means described in the followingr specilication. but it is evident that the same may be varied widely without departing from the scope of thelinvention as pointed out in the appended claims. A structure constituting one embodimentof my invention, which may be the preferred, is illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof. in which:

Fig'. I is a view in side elevation of a device enibodying my invention.

Fig. II is a top plan view of the device with the distributor cap and rotatable distributor head removed.

Fig. III is an enlarged, sectional view,

a transverse, sectional View,

taken substantially on the line IV-IV of Fig. III

.Fig V is an enlarged, detail, sectional view, showing the mounting of the interrupter plate.

Fig. VI is a detail, perspective view of one of the springs for holding the interrupter plate against the bottom of the interrupter chamber. l

Fig. VII is an enlarged fragmentary, de.- tail, sectional view, vtaken substantially on the line VII-VII of Fig. II.

Fig. V III is a plan View of the blank from which the interrupter lever is formed.

Fig. IX is a detail, perspective view of the spring washer used in connection with the mounting of the lever for actuating the in terrupter plate.

Fig. X is a fragmentary, detail, sectional view taken substantially on the line X-X of Fig. III.

In the drawings, similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views, and the sectional views are taken looking in the direction of the arrows at the ends of the section lines.

Considering the numbered parts of the drawings, my improved ignition device comprises a casing 10, having a central downwardly extending stem l1, and provided with an interrupter chamber 12, and a condenser chamber 13. which is separated from the iuterrupter chamber by'means of partition wall 14. The casing 10 is open at the top and a removable flanged ring 15 seats on the upper edge of said casing. The removable distributor cap 16, carrying the central distributor contact 2T, and the distributorcontacts 28arranged toward the edge thereof. is removably secured on said fianged rim 15 by means of fasteningr hooks 31, which are pivotally connected at 32 to the side of the casing and engage notches 30 in'said distributor cap. A drive shaft 17 is journaled in the' stem 11 of 'the casing, said shaft being provided with an annular flange 18.engaging the bottom of the interrupter chamber 12. The shaft is provided with a tapered upper ASSIGNMENTS, To

. end 19, and the interrupter cam has the cam Aslot 23 is formed in the cylindrical portionv 21 of the cam and the rotatable distributor vhead 24,l which is madeof suitable finsulating material, carries a key 25 which tits in said slot'23, so that the rotatable dis-- tributor head rotates with the cam 20, The distributor head carries a spring metal contact piece 26, secured thereto, whichV contacts with the central contact 27, which is connected in the ignition circuit. The distributor head alsocarries the contact piece v 29 in` electrical connection with'the contact' piece 26, which is adapted to make a contact successively with veach of the contacts 28, as the distributor head rotates; f A cylindrical boss 33 is formed in the bot-` tom of the interrupter chamber 12, axially thereof, and the interrupter plate 34 is provided with a central opening, fitting said cylindrical boss, and is mounted for rotation in the bottom ofthe interrupter Achamber. Segmental plates 35 and 36 are 'securedto the side wall' 'of the interrupter chamber, the lower edge of' each plate being spaced slightly from the bottom of said chamber so as t'o provide ledges, beneath which the edgeof the interrupter plate 'may move, as shown in Fig. V. The plate 34'carries a pair of bow springs 37, providedd with down-turned ends 38, which lit in notches 39 provided in the interrupter plate at the edge thereof, so that when the interrupter late is in position with its edge disposed beneath the ledges formed by the plates 35 and 36 respectively, said springs- '37. will engage the lower edges of said plates 35 and 36.and yieldingly hold said plate against thebottom of the interrupter chamber. A notch 40 is provided in the edge of the interrupter plate 34, which notch is of substantially the same length as the `plate 35, so that the interrupter plate maybe removed by rotating it to bring said notch in line with the plate 35, as will be hereinafter pointed out.

A bracket42 is mounted on the` inter' rupter plate, being insulated therefrom by a strip 43- of insulating material, and said bracket has anupstanding arm 44, in which the contact 45'is adjustably mounted, said contact being preferably made of some'hard metallic substance. such as an iridium alloy'. The contact`45 is provided with the thread-I Y of the d-rawing.

ed end 46, threadedint-fthe-arm and fastened with reference thereto by means of lock nut 47, as clearly shown inFig. YVII` A terminal having a threaded portion 48, ,extends through a slot `49 in the' interrupterplate 34, and through a corresponding slot provided in the bottom wall of the .casing 10, said terminal having a cylindrical stem v The terminal is 'secured in place by the nut 51,- threaded on to the threaded portion 48 and clamping the terminal 'to the bracket 42.

Interrupter lever 53 ispivotally mounted on the pin 52, carried bythe interrupter plate 34, and a spring 54 is provided, one end of which engages the interrupter lever carried by the interrupter plate, 'so that sucl spring tends normally tovthrow said interrupter lever so as'to hold .the contacts in engagement Withveach other.` V lrhe inter- A rupter ,lever is preferably made from af.

sheet metal blank, of the form shown in Fig. VIII, said blank 56 being triangular in form andprovided with openings 57, at

`the -corners of the base of said triangular blank, and with an opening 58at the apex thereof. A central elongated slot 59 is formed in said fblank, and ears 60 are also provided in line with said slot. The blank' isfolded to -form 'a U-shapedchannel and a block 61,-of fibre or other insulating kmaterial, is inserted in said channel and secured in place therein by means oi the ears 53, while the other end engages the pin w 60, which (are folded over as shown in Fig. v

VIL The block 61 has a porta'on 64, which projects through the slot 59 of the interrupter lever, and is adapted to be engaged by the cam 20 to vibrate.said lever. The

-pin 52, on which the lever is fulcrumed, v

passes through the alined openings 57 and a contact 62 has its stem 63 mounted in the opening 5 8 of the lever, as shown in Fig. VII, said contact being disposed so as to en- -gagetlie contact l45 mounted on the bracket 42.

A slot 65 is provided inthe interrupter plate 34 and the pin 66 carriedl by the lever 67 extends through a slot 69,provided'in the bottom of the casing 10, andv has itsv upper end disposed in the slot 65 of the intei-,`

rupter plate. The lever'67 is fulcrumed on a pin 68 carried by the bottom, of the casing 10, so that, by oscillationof the .lever 67,.v the interrupter plate may be rotated in the casinglO. A spring washer 70 of a peculiar orm is used `in order to hold the lever 67 on the pivot pin 68, said washer being shown in Fig.vv rectangular, sheet of metal, slightly bowed I and provided,,at the corners thereof, with;4 theup-turned fingers 71.v which engage on` and comprising a d either side of the lever 67 said washer be- V 'Y ing provided. with. a central opening 72 y andr the bracket 42 carrying 1,669,888 3 through which the pin 68 passes. Said ingly hold theinterrupter plate in its posiwasher is slipped over the end of the pin 68, with the ears 71 engaging the sides of the lever 67, and a cotter pin 73 is passed through the end of the pin 68, the bow. shape of said washer tending to yieldingly force the lever into engagement with ,the bottonr of the casing 10.

Condenser 74 is mounted in the condenser chamber 13 of the casing 10 and is provided with a pair of contact arms 75, which are supported from' the side walls ot` the casing y means of the block ot' insulating material 76, and which have end portions '(7, tue shorter one of which is hidden by the longer, extending laterally into the casing so as to engage the cylindrical stem 50 of the terminal.

From the description of the parts given above, the operation of this device should be very readily'understood. As the shaft 17 rotates, the distributor head 21, which is secured, thereto so as to rotate therewith, successively establishes a circuit between the central contact 27 and each of the cont-acts 28, mounted on the. distributor cap 16, so as to successively send a current to each of the spark plugs of the engine. Distributor cap lti may be very quickly removed by loosening the hooks 31, and the distributor head2! may then be removed by lifting it from the end of the stem 21 of the, cam 20. The screw as this cam rotates, it intermittently actuates the lever 53, soas to separate the contacts 45 and 62 to break the circuit at that point. The interrupter lever,`being made of sheet metal, is very light and'has very little moso that it responds quickly to the action of the cam and does not cam is rotating at a high. speed. The result is that a quick and of the circuit is 'se- The interrupter cam 20 is so mounted on the end of the shaft 17, that it can be very quickly and readily adjusted relative thereto, by loosening the screw 22 and turning the cam 20 on the upper tapered end portion 19 of the shaft 17.

Interrupter plate 34 is rotably mounted in the bottom'of the interrupter chamber 12 and no screws are used in fastening this device in place. In'order to remove the in.

.terrupter plate the terminal 48 and the lever 6i are removed, and the lnterrupter plate can then be rotated so as to bring the notcli 40 in line with the plate 35, when the inteiruptcr plate 34 can be lifted out of the casing'. carryingr with it the interrupter lever the contact 45. The interrupter plate is heldin place in the bottom ofthe' casing bythe engagement of the edges thereof beneath the lower edges of plates. 35and 36, land the. springs 37 yield Jecting through said `corners thereof, and having an tion in the bottom of the casing due,l to their engagement witlrthe lower edges of the plates 35 and 36.

As the lever (i7 is turned on the fulcrum (18, the pin (56, engaging in the slotof the interrupter plate, imparts a rotative movement lo said interrupter plate, so that the intcrrupter lever is moved relative to the cani 20 to advance or retard the spark. The condenser 71 is compactly housed in the main casing with the interrupter and dis` tributor, andA it willr be seen that the condenser is ythus enclosed within a waterproof casingA and is out of the way so that space economized and a more compact and lighter structure is secured. the necessary connection between the whole of or a part of the condenser and the ignition circuit, the arms 77 are provided which engage the ystein 50 ot' the terminal 4.8.

' 'hile I have described my invention in more: or less detail and as being embodied in certain precise forms I do not desire or intend to be limited thereto, as on the contrary my invention contemplates broadly all proper changes, as well as the omission of immaterial. elements and the substitution ot' equivalents therefor, as circumstances may suggest or necessity render expedient.

Having thus described my invention,wl1at I claim as knew and' desire to secure by LetterszPatent is- 1. In a device of the class described, the combination of a fixed contact; a suitably pivoted intcrrupter lever, carrying a contact co-opcrating with 'said fixed contact, said lever Abeing formed from a sheet metal blank b ent to channel-shaped form, and provided with cars thereon, a block of insulating material secured in said lever by means of said ears., which are turned inwardly to hold said block in place, and an'actuating cam for said interrupter lever, said level' being provided with a slot and said block f insulating material having a portion proslot in positionA to be engaged by said cam.

2. In a device of the class described, the combination of an interrupter lever formed from a substantially triangular blank of sheet' metal, provided with openings in the` 4elongated lslot in the central portion thcreo and an ear on each side blank being folded to form a channel U- shaped in cross section an insulating block kadapted to tit in said U-shaped channel.hav projecting through the slot In' ing a portion said folded blankfof sheet metal, and the ears of said folded blank beinginturned to engage the rear face of said block of insulating material to hold it in place; a contact. carried in the opening in the apex of said triangular blank; and a pivot pin passing in line with Asaid slot, said In order to provide for ltlt) ltlfi throughlthe aligned openin `formed. in the base cornersof said triang'u ar blank.

3. Ina device f the class described; the

combination Aof Va casing having an inter#l rupter chamber; a cylindrical boss provided in the bottom of said chamber; an interrupter plate rotatably mounted inthe bottonr of said chgmber and journaled on said cylin.-

- drical boss; ledges formed on one side `wall loi ' which the edge of said plateis adapted to. engage,'said plate being provided with a slot.

of said chamber beneath the lower edges of at the edge thereof of Substantially.. the

length of one of said ledges; and a palr of bow springs having down-turned endsfdisposed in notches in the edge of said and having their-body portions adapted to engage the lower edges 'of said le yieldingly.` hold saidplate against the boti as sald notch, the edge of said plate'being Yadapted to be disposed and to move between having a contact-co-operating with said fixed tion of said cam beingfprovided Vwith a slot; and 'a distributor head removably mounted l cylindrical boss;

' said plate being provided with a plate in said casing.

tom of lsaid chamber; means Jfor rotating 'said plate; an interrpter lever mounted on saidl plate; and means-for vibrating said 4. In a device of the class described, the combination ofa oasin having an inter'- rupter chamber, provi edwith 'a central lan interrupter plate, rotatably mounted in said casingand having a cen.- tral opening in which said `boss-is disposed,

notch.; ledges provided on the si e Wall of said casing, ofsubstantially the same lengtlr said ledges and the'bottomof said chamber; spring'means engaging the bottom edges of said ledges. and yieldingly holding'said plate in engagementwith the bottom of said c amber; a fixed contact carried' by said plate; an interrupter lever carried by said plate contactya shaft, carrying an interrupter if cam, passing through anjopening provided in .sa1d,boss^; and means or movlng said 5. In a device of the class described, the combination of a shaft, having a vtapered upper 'endg an interrupter-'cam comprising aV cani portion;V and a cylindrical portion, Said ca-m4 portion having a tapered socket adapted 'to engage the tapered endof said shaft; an

alxially extending lscrewsecuring said cam to the end of said shaft, the cylindrical poron said cylindrical portion and having a key disposed-in saidtslot.`

6. In a device ofthe'classdescribed, the

combination of a shaft having a tapered upper end; va cam comprising a cam portion,

having a socket-adapted to fit the tapered 'end of said shaft, and a'cylindrical portion;

ascrew'extending axiallyv of said cam intov the'tapered en d of said`shaft,t'hold said cantand said shaft in engagement withnthe tapered and of ai@ Shaft 'disposed in said.: tapered socket; and a' distributor head re movably mounted on the cylindrical portion of said cam to rotate therewith. 7. Iny a device of the class described the combination of a shaft having atapered end, a cam having a tapered socket adaptedl to litoverr said end and be adjustably rotatable thereon said camV having an integral extension thereon adapted to carry a distributor arm and means extending axially of said cam and extension for securing said cam, to said shaft. f I 8. In a device of'the .class described the combination of arshaft having a tapered end portion, a cam having a tapered socket: to

receivesaid tapered end portion and to permit rotative adjustment thereon, said caml having an integral, axial extension for carryf ing a .distributor arm and a securing screw extending axially of said cam intothe `end of said shaft. "5'

y v9. In a device of the class described, an

interrupter lever comprising., a channelv shaped sheet metal body provided with pivot openings -at one end, a contactat' the other end of said body, 'and an intermediatev cam engaging member between the'sides of said body,` said sides having portions bent inwardly and compressed against the cam engaging member to holdthe same ri idly-in contact with the channeled back of t e body.

I0. A blank forl ignition interrupter levers, comprising a plateof substantially triangular, formation having a rectangular slot ad' jacent the center of the plate, and projecting,

holding lugs on opposite sides of said plate in line with saidslot. t

11. In a device -of the classdescribe'd, an

12. In a device of the class described, an

interrupter lever comprising a channel shaped sheet metal body provided with pivot openings at one end and a contact 'at the other end o f said body; and an intermediate f vcam engaging amember between the sidesof saidbody, said sides having portions integral therewith for locating said member ina posi tion on -said lever with said sidesjuxtaposed against theside of Isaid lever.

13. In a device ofthe lass described, an interrupter levercomprising a channelshaped sheet metal body provided withpivot openings at one end and a contact at the' other end of said body; and anintermediate c n cam engaging member-located between the Sides of said body and lengthwise thereof,

lao

said sides adapted to hold said cam engaging cam engaging member between the sides of member rigidly in contact with the channelsaidb'ody, said sides having portions adapted 10 shaped body. to hold the cam engaging member in a pre- 14. In a device of theclass described, an determined position iii said channel-shaped interrupter lever comprising a; channelbody between said pivoted ends and said shaped sheet metai body provided With-pivot contact end. Y openings at one end and a contact at 'the In testimony whereofI aiiix my si nature. other end of said bOdy; andvanfintermediatm l PAUL F. WOLLENWE ER.l

DISCLAIMER 1,669,888-Paul F. Wollenweber, Toledo, Ohio.

Disclaimer led March May 15, 192s. Electm'o Auto-Lite Company. Hereby enters this disclaimer to that in Claims 9 and l1 of said patent.

[Oficial Gazette April 14, 1936.]

IGNITIoN DEVICE. Patent dated 23, 1936, by the assignee, The

part of the thing patented which is claimed DISCLAIMER 1,669,888.-Paul F. Wollemveber, Toledo, Ohio. IGNITION DEVICE. Patent dated May l5, 1928. Disclaimer led March 23, 1936, by the assignee, The Electric Auto-Lite Company.

Hereby enters this disclaimer to that part of the thing patented which is claimed in claims 9 and 1l of said patent.

[Qljicial Gazette April 14, 1936.] 

